Alastair Meeks
@alastairmeeks.bsky.social
Lawyer, writer, Zedra
Pinned
How men are
How men are I am fortunate enough to have a river view from my flat. I look out onto the Pool of London, that part of the river Thames that was foundational for London itself. Stretching from Wapping ...
medium.com
I've put together, hesitantly, some thoughts about men. Please do read and respond, even if you strongly disagree. There has been too much silence from men and this needs at least to be discussed.
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medium.com/@alastair-me...
Reposted by Alastair Meeks
Do read the whole judgment. The circumstances of the feud (both being enthusiastic participants) are central to the findings. Paras 114-125 set this out in detail.
You can still disagree with the decision. I don't think you can fairly describe it on its facts as stupid or biased.
You can still disagree with the decision. I don't think you can fairly describe it on its facts as stupid or biased.
Here's an excerpt from the judgment. You can read the whole thing (or a summary) here: www.judiciary.uk/judgments/r-...
November 25, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Do read the whole judgment. The circumstances of the feud (both being enthusiastic participants) are central to the findings. Paras 114-125 set this out in detail.
You can still disagree with the decision. I don't think you can fairly describe it on its facts as stupid or biased.
You can still disagree with the decision. I don't think you can fairly describe it on its facts as stupid or biased.
Reposted by Alastair Meeks
The amount of sweat and tears being shed you might think it was the third Greek bailout, rather than a relatively small adjustment with a large number of levers available to the chancellor
November 25, 2025 at 4:34 PM
The amount of sweat and tears being shed you might think it was the third Greek bailout, rather than a relatively small adjustment with a large number of levers available to the chancellor
I suppose the plus side of all the pre-budget briefing is that my expectations have been managed so that I'm braced for rock bottom in terms of competence and likely economic effects.
November 25, 2025 at 4:29 PM
I suppose the plus side of all the pre-budget briefing is that my expectations have been managed so that I'm braced for rock bottom in terms of competence and likely economic effects.
Do read the whole judgment. The circumstances of the feud (both being enthusiastic participants) are central to the findings. Paras 114-125 set this out in detail.
You can still disagree with the decision. I don't think you can fairly describe it on its facts as stupid or biased.
You can still disagree with the decision. I don't think you can fairly describe it on its facts as stupid or biased.
Here's an excerpt from the judgment. You can read the whole thing (or a summary) here: www.judiciary.uk/judgments/r-...
November 25, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Do read the whole judgment. The circumstances of the feud (both being enthusiastic participants) are central to the findings. Paras 114-125 set this out in detail.
You can still disagree with the decision. I don't think you can fairly describe it on its facts as stupid or biased.
You can still disagree with the decision. I don't think you can fairly describe it on its facts as stupid or biased.
Today would have been my grandfather's 113th birthday (he died 30 years ago). One of his finest moments was when he announced that when giving his weight he needed to take off a stone for his bones.
November 25, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Today would have been my grandfather's 113th birthday (he died 30 years ago). One of his finest moments was when he announced that when giving his weight he needed to take off a stone for his bones.
Bluesky today feels exceptionally scratchy. Not sure why. Maybe it's a late November vibe.
November 25, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Bluesky today feels exceptionally scratchy. Not sure why. Maybe it's a late November vibe.
Reposted by Alastair Meeks
Yes, it's why while I think criticism from Gauke and others wasn't off base I think they are missing how Centrist inability to generate hope means their cries of "but Truss! But bond markets!" over time won't be enough to contain populist waves
November 25, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Yes, it's why while I think criticism from Gauke and others wasn't off base I think they are missing how Centrist inability to generate hope means their cries of "but Truss! But bond markets!" over time won't be enough to contain populist waves
Fuming that the Chancellor is a woman and so I can't tweet: "How dairy?".
November 25, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Fuming that the Chancellor is a woman and so I can't tweet: "How dairy?".
I'd like to tackle head-on the idea that what Nigel Farage said at school was somehow acceptable then. I'm a couple of years younger than him. If my parents had heard I'd said a fraction of the things that Nigel Farage supposedly said at school, my best hope would have been resurrection.
November 25, 2025 at 11:41 AM
I'd like to tackle head-on the idea that what Nigel Farage said at school was somehow acceptable then. I'm a couple of years younger than him. If my parents had heard I'd said a fraction of the things that Nigel Farage supposedly said at school, my best hope would have been resurrection.
Reposted by Alastair Meeks
So revealing how many people on the liberal/left side of the political spectrum bang on about wealth tax, then as soon as there is a tax on wealth it’s like: no! Not MY wealth.
November 25, 2025 at 11:26 AM
So revealing how many people on the liberal/left side of the political spectrum bang on about wealth tax, then as soon as there is a tax on wealth it’s like: no! Not MY wealth.
The number of post-budget webinars I've been invited to is now well into double figures.
I feel for professional services firms, all of which are obliged to put these things on and none of which can get much positive benefit from doing so.
I feel for professional services firms, all of which are obliged to put these things on and none of which can get much positive benefit from doing so.
November 25, 2025 at 8:40 AM
The number of post-budget webinars I've been invited to is now well into double figures.
I feel for professional services firms, all of which are obliged to put these things on and none of which can get much positive benefit from doing so.
I feel for professional services firms, all of which are obliged to put these things on and none of which can get much positive benefit from doing so.
Five parties within 10% of each other. Not chaotic at all.
Westminster Voting Intention:
RFM: 25% (-2)
LAB: 19% (=)
CON: 18% (+1)
GRN: 16% (-1)
LDM: 15% (+2)
SNP: 3% (=)
Via @yougov.co.uk, 23-24 Nov.
Changes w/ 16-17 Nov.
RFM: 25% (-2)
LAB: 19% (=)
CON: 18% (+1)
GRN: 16% (-1)
LDM: 15% (+2)
SNP: 3% (=)
Via @yougov.co.uk, 23-24 Nov.
Changes w/ 16-17 Nov.
November 25, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Five parties within 10% of each other. Not chaotic at all.
Yet again I wonder who the Times is seeking to appeal to. The traditional image of the Times is as the newspaper of the country's executives. In 2025, these people look at this stuff as unpleasant and unhinged.
Trevor Philips in the Times, calling for a Trump/Miller-style of random deportations based on skin colour.
archive.ph/RlXPj
archive.ph/RlXPj
November 25, 2025 at 7:22 AM
Yet again I wonder who the Times is seeking to appeal to. The traditional image of the Times is as the newspaper of the country's executives. In 2025, these people look at this stuff as unpleasant and unhinged.
In the light of recent revelations about Nathan Gill, this old article makes for interesting reading.
www.theguardian.com/world/2019/o...
www.theguardian.com/world/2019/o...
Brexit party MEPs vote against plans to tackle Russian propaganda
Resolution seeking upgrade of EU counter-disinformation unit nevertheless passes easily
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:40 PM
In the light of recent revelations about Nathan Gill, this old article makes for interesting reading.
www.theguardian.com/world/2019/o...
www.theguardian.com/world/2019/o...
I'm really unconvinced that all the people loudly talking about an AI bubble and imminent financial market collapse are going to be right.
Not yet anyway.
Not yet anyway.
November 24, 2025 at 9:34 AM
I'm really unconvinced that all the people loudly talking about an AI bubble and imminent financial market collapse are going to be right.
Not yet anyway.
Not yet anyway.
I don’t think this is quite right but it is onto something.
In the 18th century an idea of the UK was successfully forged, a concept of a state to which all in the country could bear allegiance.
With mass migration this has broken down. The idea needs reforging, both defining and including.
1/2
In the 18th century an idea of the UK was successfully forged, a concept of a state to which all in the country could bear allegiance.
With mass migration this has broken down. The idea needs reforging, both defining and including.
1/2
"We grant people different rights based on their genetic heritage and on which scrap of land they happened to be born on. That’s mad, isn’t it?"
I just think, when debating immigration and so on, that we should try not to lose sight of the fact that "nationality" is a made up thing.
I just think, when debating immigration and so on, that we should try not to lose sight of the fact that "nationality" is a made up thing.
Why does nationality matter, anyway?
Deciding someone's legal rights based on a nebulous combination of birthplace and parentage is a bit weird
www.newstatesman.com
November 23, 2025 at 6:34 PM
I don’t think this is quite right but it is onto something.
In the 18th century an idea of the UK was successfully forged, a concept of a state to which all in the country could bear allegiance.
With mass migration this has broken down. The idea needs reforging, both defining and including.
1/2
In the 18th century an idea of the UK was successfully forged, a concept of a state to which all in the country could bear allegiance.
With mass migration this has broken down. The idea needs reforging, both defining and including.
1/2
On course to have a very happy houseguest tonight.
November 23, 2025 at 5:13 PM
On course to have a very happy houseguest tonight.
Sunday gym selfie.
November 23, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Sunday gym selfie.
Reposted by Alastair Meeks
I blame the word processor for most of that. When I started as a lawyer in early 80s even the most important contracts were only a few dozen pages.
November 23, 2025 at 3:45 PM
I blame the word processor for most of that. When I started as a lawyer in early 80s even the most important contracts were only a few dozen pages.
So many would-be Stilichos.
FWIW, RUMINT, but pretty reliable:
1. Vance key to US embrace of Russia plan on Ukraine, Rubio (and even Trump) out of the loop.
2. Vance-Rubio relations “awful.”
3. Rubio told the senators exactly what they said he told them.
4. Hegseth paranoid he’ll be shoved out, Driscoll will replace him.
1. Vance key to US embrace of Russia plan on Ukraine, Rubio (and even Trump) out of the loop.
2. Vance-Rubio relations “awful.”
3. Rubio told the senators exactly what they said he told them.
4. Hegseth paranoid he’ll be shoved out, Driscoll will replace him.
November 23, 2025 at 3:27 PM
So many would-be Stilichos.
I just had a Facebook reel ask me if the UK is being reverse colonised. This far right propaganda is being pumped everywhere.
November 23, 2025 at 3:20 PM
I just had a Facebook reel ask me if the UK is being reverse colonised. This far right propaganda is being pumped everywhere.
I was academically a strong all-rounder, didn't know what I wanted to do for A levels. I did History, English, Maths to keep my options open. Then I opted to do a law degree to keep my options open. Then I applied for the Law Society Finals course to keep my options open.
1/2
1/2
November 23, 2025 at 7:38 AM
I was academically a strong all-rounder, didn't know what I wanted to do for A levels. I did History, English, Maths to keep my options open. Then I opted to do a law degree to keep my options open. Then I applied for the Law Society Finals course to keep my options open.
1/2
1/2
Reposted by Alastair Meeks
This, from the Guardian, is Ryanair at its very worst.
It's not good enough for them to insist that they're a low-cost airline and everyone knows the rules, in circumstances like this...
I wonder if legislation is needed?
It's not good enough for them to insist that they're a low-cost airline and everyone knows the rules, in circumstances like this...
I wonder if legislation is needed?
November 22, 2025 at 5:53 PM
This, from the Guardian, is Ryanair at its very worst.
It's not good enough for them to insist that they're a low-cost airline and everyone knows the rules, in circumstances like this...
I wonder if legislation is needed?
It's not good enough for them to insist that they're a low-cost airline and everyone knows the rules, in circumstances like this...
I wonder if legislation is needed?
For those wanting to judge where we were in the pandemic at this point, I published this on 19 February 2020 (I’d been drafting it all week).
www1.politicalbetting.com/index.php/ar...
www1.politicalbetting.com/index.php/ar...
November 22, 2025 at 5:14 PM
For those wanting to judge where we were in the pandemic at this point, I published this on 19 February 2020 (I’d been drafting it all week).
www1.politicalbetting.com/index.php/ar...
www1.politicalbetting.com/index.php/ar...